There are all sorts of car owners. Some want a cartwheel of a car that will just get them to work and the grocery store. Others are after a strong and powerful 4×4 that is able to move fast and go anywhere you put your mind to. If you are in the second category, these upgrades are for you. I’m not talking about a total revamp of an otherwise dead engine. Only some simple tweaks. But they do serve to improve the performance of your favourite beast.
Forced Air Induction System
No one disputes the advantages of having a forced induction engine as opposed to the one you get from the factory. Issues with power output on an incline and eating the dust of substandard vehicles on the road can easily become a thing of the past with this modification. It also may allow you to get better power to weight ratio and increased efficiency, especially at high elevation. But how do forced induction systems work?
Let’s start from the basics. The internal combustion engine in a car takes air from the environment, uses it to process fuel and returns the byproduct via the exhaust. Engines get air sucked straight from the surroundings and the atmospheric pressure of this air is 14.7psi. That’s the base measurement at sea level, but the change is insignificant as you go higher. The intake manifold operates in vacuum. In essence, these are the elements of naturally aspirated engine.
So, adding one of the reliable forced induction systems available online can be a real game changer in the way your engine works. This contraption will increase the density of the air coming into the motor. And the dense intake will contribute to positive pressure in the manifold. In plain terms – there will be more oxygen available for processing fuel in the chamber. The amount of air allowed into the combustion engine is the same, the only thing that has changed is the quality. So when your engine purrs you will know that this is because the extra air sucks more fuel and this translates into more power.
It’s as simple as that. No elaborate and time consuming repairs at the mechanic. You are only changing the conditions at which air enters the engine. Certain terms are used in the community so if you are new to this better learn them right away. There are superchargers and turbochargers. Both refer to force inductions systems, the main difference being that supercharger is mechanically driven. This is actuated by the crankshaft. And when you have a turbocharger the air is driven by exhaust gases already present in the system.
4×4 Throttle Controller
Another way to get fast and reliable boost in engine power. The concept was awarded for its effect. Although it can be used on any car, for some reason it’s more popular as a 4×4 throttle controller because of the acceleration it provides right from the start. But it’s definitely more to it than that, so let’s check it out.
Car manufacturers are obliged to follow certain regulations regarding gas emissions. To follow these rules they install what is known as throttle lag. This is to delay the response of the engine to the pedal work of your legs. On the flip side, this lag can contribute to issues with starting the car, delay in acceleration and all sort of similar problems.
The throttle response controller is a fly by wire which connects your pedal directly with the engine. This is true in the literal sense and you will witness the degree of sensibility as soon as you put the system to work. Once you eliminate the burdensome throttle lag – getting instant acceleration is within reach.
You will find that investing in a quality 4×4 throttle controller is very useful when you need to get out of a road ditch or to jump start the vehicle from a standstill on a terrain with big incline. Though once you install it and drive around, you will find it useful in overtaking other vehicles in traffic too.
Installation of the throttle controller is fairly easy. You need to unplug the existing fixture (usually in your steering column) plug your EVC iDrive in between and plug it in again. This can be done in minutes, but you do need to make sure your car is not hot. So wait at least 20 minutes if you just arrived in your garage.
Don’t think that you’d have to drive at full capacity at all times though. The throttle controllers have at least three to four modes. Most of what we described above applies to the ultimate mode, however you can also activate the economy and auto modes by the push of the button. These are helpful for driving through city traffic lights (stop and go, and repeat). They are also very handy for a long road trip with some heavy yet essential 4×4 accessories.
Keep the Engine in Top Shape
These are the two most important parts which affect the power of your engine without any big changes. They are the ones to go for if you are not ready for elaborate engine work. But to get the most of your engine, you also need to keep other components in top shape. If you are not able to do this by yourself hire a mechanic. And if there’s some problem with the engine, you can check air filters or consider going for an aftermarket exhaust system upgrade that will allow it to breathe better,
